Emergency Dental Care in Spartanburg, SC
When a dental emergency arises, such as a toothache or chipped tooth, Cedar Spring Family Dentistry is here for you!
Same-Day Appointments for Urgent Dental Needs
Offering emergency dental services is unique for dental offices like ours, but we know that life can hand you surprises, and emergencies can’t wait. We do our best to get our patients in for same-day diagnosis and treatment within business hours so they can get back to feeling their best self—fast!
Emergency dental appointments are just like any other (there’s no additional cost). If you are experiencing any severe symptoms and think you need urgent dental care, don’t hesitate to contact our office right away. The Cedar Spring Family Dentistry team is here to help you—emergencies and all!
Why Dental Emergencies Need Immediate Attention
Ignoring a dental emergency can have serious consequences. What starts as a minor issue can quickly escalate into a more complex and painful problem, leading to irreversible damage, tooth loss, or other health complications. Prompt treatment not only relieves your pain but also increases the chances of saving the affected tooth and preventing the spread of infection from common dental problems.
Common Dental Emergencies
- Toothache: A persistent, severe toothache is a clear sign that something is wrong. It could indicate a deep cavity, an infection, or even an abscess. Ignoring a toothache can lead to infection spreading, causing more serious health issues.
- Chipped or Broken Teeth: A chipped tooth might seem like a minor issue, but it can expose the sensitive inner layers of the tooth, making it vulnerable to decay and infection. Immediate attention can save the tooth and prevent further damage.
- Missing Crown: If a dental crown falls out, it leaves the underlying tooth exposed and unprotected. This can lead to pain, sensitivity, and the risk of further damage or decay.
- Dental Abscess: A dental abscess is a serious infection that forms at the root of a tooth or in the gums. Symptoms include a pus-filled bump, swelling, and severe pain. This is a life-threatening condition if left untreated, as the infection can spread to other parts of your body.
How Do Emergency Dental Appointments Work?
Step 1: Contact Cedar Spring Family Dentistry
Book an appointment online or call our office during business hours and a member of our team will ask you questions about your symptoms, the location of your pain, and how long you’ve been experiencing the issue. This information helps us understand the nature of your emergency so we can prepare for your arrival and provide you with initial guidance. We will do our best to get you in as soon as possible, often on the same day. You can also book an emergency appointment online!
Step 2: Diagnosis
Once you arrive, our top priority is to alleviate your pain and determine the source of the problem. We’ll perform a thorough exam, which may include x-rays to get a clear picture of what is happening beneath the surface of the tooth and bone.
Step 3: Treatment
Based on your diagnosis, we will discuss your treatment options and begin the necessary procedure to address the issue. Our goal is to provide immediate relief and prevent the problem from worsening. For an abscess or severe infection, we may need to perform a root canal or an extraction. For a broken or chipped tooth, we might be able to repair it with a filling or a crown. If a crown has fallen out, we will attempt to re-cement it.
Step 4: Recovery & Follow-up
After treatment, we will provide you with clear instructions for post-procedure care. This includes information on managing any discomfort, what to eat, and how to keep the area clean. We may also recommend a follow-up appointment to ensure you are healing properly and that the issue has been resolved.
"Dr. Oldham and his staff were fantastic! I’m not a good patient but they kept me calm and pain free."
Marvin T.
Dental Emergency FAQs
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When are emergency appointments available?
Monday-Thursday (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) and Fridays (8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.). We will do our best to see patients in need of urgent services that same day, but cannot always guarantee availability. Our team will work to fit you in as quickly as possible.
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What qualifies as a dental emergency?
A dental emergency can include a persistent, severe toothache, a chipped or broken tooth, a missing crown, or a dental abscess. These conditions require immediate attention to prevent more serious complications, damage, tooth loss, or the spread of infection.
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What should I do if I knock out a tooth?
If you or someone else knocks out a permanent tooth, here are the steps to follow immediately to increase the chance of saving it:
- Find and handle the tooth carefully. Pick it up by the crown (the chewing surface), not the root. Avoid touching the root as it contains important fibers.
- Gently clean the tooth. If it’s dirty, rinse it gently with water. Do not scrub it, use soap, or dry it.
- Seek immediate dental care. A knocked-out tooth is a dental emergency. Contact our office to schedule an urgent appointment, ideally within 30 minutes to an hour of the injury. Bring the tooth with you.
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Do you accept patients without insurance?
Cedar Spring Family Dentistry is happy to accept patients with and without insurance. Uninsured patients may want to consider joining our Cedar Spring Dental Group. For more information about insurance and self-pay options, click here.
